Djevara's sound can be summarised as being noisy and seriously bloody angry. A shoutfest about the eternal theme of alienation, opener 'Jesus vs Mohammed (Ali)' is a relentless sonic assault that serves to set Djevara's stall out perfectly. Over a grunge/metal backdrop characterised by fast fretwork and frenetic percussion, Bass (guitar and vocals, confusingly), hollers himself hoarse about feeding the machine.
There's more than a hint of Fugazi about 'Lines in the Sand,' and 'Once More With Feeling (Best Supporting Actor)' is another short sharp burst of pissed-off metallic-edged hardcore punk. The songs aren't linear and are fundamentally bereft of choruses or hooks. But choruses and hooks are for sell-outs and pussies.
Things take a turn for the strange on the melodic world-music infused chant of the title track, although it's rather good, and serves as a well-timed respite from the punishing diet of wall-punching anger.
'View from a Glass House' crashes in twice as heavy in contrast, and it's to good effect. Breakneck guitar-playing and pulverising drums momentarily give way to a slightly softer interlude in which paves the way for more tempo, key and signature changes than are readily digested. One thing's for certain: Djevara push the parameters of their genre and inject new life into the grey stylistic trappings of hardcore through their inventive approach and complex structures. Like Breed 77, they blend unusual multicultural influences on their sonic palette. Unlike Breed 77, Djevara infuse their music with these seemingly incongruous styles quite naturally and without overstating any one element. There's no shortage of aggression, though, with plenty of sonic weight and throat-ripping shouting to appeal to even the most fundamental of hardcore fans.
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It's a pounding race to the finish line with the sprawling six-and-a-half-minute monster 'Rising Tide of the Disconnected,' which sees the band in familiar lyrical and sonic territory. And why not, when it's executed this well?
With six tracks and clocking in at 22 minutes, 'Corsa Al Ribasso' is technically an EP rather than an LP. But what it lacks in duration, it more than compensates in intensity. Killer stuff.
http://djevara.com/
http://www.myspace.com/djevara
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